[Archived] News Article -> 2013/14 Full-Time: Rovers 4 Bolton Wanderers 1

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Rovers picked up their second win of the season after an impressive performance saw them beat Bolton 4-1. A first Rovers goal for Corry Evans and goals from Rhodes (2) and Dunn saw Rovers pick up the three points and move into the top half of the table.

Bolton perhaps slightly edged the opening quarter of the match and should have taken the lead when Beckford was slipped through on goal by Ngog, but the striker failed to find the power necessary to beat Kean in the Rovers goal. Rhodes then had a chance to put Rovers ahead, but he failed to react quickly enough after Wheater had missed Dunn's cross and the Scotland international was unable to control his header.

Despite that miss, Rovers were soon ahead when King's pace allowed Rovers to break and the winger cut the ball back across the box for Dunn, who neatly beat three Bolton defenders before sliding the ball past Bogdan. It was an extremely well-taken goal and only 90 seconds later Dunn turned provider when he played the ball into Rhodes who turned with the help of a deflection off Knight and then took a moment to compose himself before firing into the bottom corner. It was a quickfire double for Rovers and put them firmly in control of the match.

Rovers were full of confidence and surging forward and Marshall nearly grabbed a debut goal when his controlled effort from the edge of the box was acrobatically tipped onto the post by Bogdan and the rebound nearly fell to Rhodes to tap in, but Bolton eventually managed to clear the ball. Rhodes then produced a powerful left-footed shot that forced Bogdan into another good save and it looked as though the match could soon turn into a rout, but as the half drew to a close Bolton got back into it. Kean failed to properly gather a shot and Bolton were able to retain possession and rebuild an attack and after a neat interplay of short passes Baptiste found space in the box and hammered the ball across Kean and into the net. It was poor defending from Rovers and another costly mistake from Kean, who has had a shaky start to this season.

Bolton started brightly after the break and Beckford had the first chance of the half when he did well to control a pass over the top, but he poked his effort harmlessly wide of the goal. The away side then went agonisingly close to levelling things up when Ngog broke into the Rovers area and evaded the challenges of two defenders when he cut the ball back as he feigned to shoot, but his effort was cleared off the line by Kane after the right-back had done well to position himself perfectly behind Kean.

It looked as though either side could grab the next goal, but Rovers restored their two-goal advantage when the ball dropped to Evans outside of the box and the summer signing produced a sweetly-hit volley that flew into the back of the net with the help of a deflection. That goal restored Rovers' confidence and King nearly put the game to bed after he shrugged off a challenge before his powerful effort from the edge of the box whistled past the post and moments later he drove at the Bolton penalty area again but fired over after he had done well to create the opportunity.

Rovers did seal the win only moments later when Kane did well to get his cross in and Rhodes was on hand to apply the finish from close range. Rhodes had received some criticism for his performances in the first three matches this season, but that makes it four goals in two games for the forward as he looks to be returning to goalscoring form. With the last kick of the game Cairney nearly added a fifth, but his left-footed effort curled just wide of the far post.

It was a good win for Rovers and an encouraging display of attacking prowess, with excellent passing in a match that the home side controlled from almost start to finish. Kean's errors will be some cause for concern for Bowyer and his staff, but there are certainly a number of positives to take from the last two matches and he will be hopeful that the good run will continue after the international break when Rovers face Burnley.

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